Photography by Cynthia Mackowick – Traun

Everywhere a Moo MooOOOoooo

After spending a day exploring and photographing The House on the Rock, our time off was coming to an end. We packed up the car and headed on our way back home but of course, we took notice of the surrounding views. Not only is the landscape beautiful in this area, the counties of Vernon and Monroe Wisconsin, also have some interesting barns, including many round barns. I encourage you to get lost in the countryside no matter where you reside; each state has its own unique features and architecture!

Good question! Wikipedia states “Early round barns were particularly associated with the Shaker community, Despite considerable publicity of the 1826 Shaker barn, the design did not become popular until the 1880s, when some agricultural colleges began to push the design as they taught progressive farming methods, based on the principles of industrial efficiency. It was between 1880–1920 that round barns were most popular in the United States, especially in the Midwest. The rise in popularity and the promotion of round barns occurred surrounding the new focus on efficiency.” It appears the the two words round and shaker barns intertwine. Interesting!